Nemanja Vidic claims he is on course to be fit to start to the 2012-13 season
after targeting a return to pre-season training with Manchester United
following his cruciate ligament injury.

The United captain has been out of action since rupturing ligaments in his right knee during the first-half of the Champions League defeat against FC Basle in Switzerland on December 7.

Initial fears that the former Serbia defender could be sidelined for up to a year have subsided in recent weeks, although manager Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed suggestions that Vidic could make a surprise return to action before the end of this season.

But with United due to begin their pre-season preparations in early July, Vidic is confident that he will be fit to participate.

“It's going well.” Vidic told manutd.com. “Obviously the projection was that I would be ready for the next season. I am on schedule and will hopefully start training again in July.

“Much of the stuff I'm doing in the gym, I don't look forward to, but it benefits me. I have to say I'm doing more work now, while I'm injured, than I do when I'm playing.